SOUTHPORT are just three matches away from Wembley after providing the shock of the FA Trophy third round.

The scintillating Sandgrounders triumphed in the battle of the seaside resorts, putting three past high-flying Blue Square Premier side Torquay United.

And Port will fancy their chances of progressing to the two-legged semi-finals after being drawn away to AFC Telford in the last eight.

A double by striker Steve Daly and an incredible 40-yard lob by right back Kevin Lee ended the hopes of Torquay, last year’s finalists.

The mouthwatering prospect of a visit to Wembley is being mentioned in and around Haig Avenue, though manager Liam Watson is refusing to get carried away.

He said: “My reaction to the draw is the same as it would have been if we had drawn anyone else. It is a very winnable game but they will be thinking exactly the same.

“They have lost the last couple of league games at home so they are not flying like they were when we played them in December. But the game is three weeks away so we will cross that bridge when we come to it."

Southport’s unblemished record against Premier opposition - with wins against Wrexham and Altrincham this season - bodes well for their survival chances should they win promotion this season.

Torquay arrived at Haig Avenue fresh from pushing Coventry City all the way in the FA Cup the week before, but were made to look ordinary by a pulsating Port performance.

Steve Daly, though up front on his own, was a constant thorn in the Gulls’ side, especially when flanked by pacy wingers Mark Duffy and Robbie Booth.

Port’s defence was imperious, with Earl Davis not letting Torquay’s top scorer Tim Sills near the ball.

Southport had the best of the early exchanges and it was little surprise when Daly netted in the 12th minute.

A beautiful long ball from Flynn found Booth on the left, whose deep cross was well controlled by Duffy on the edge of the box. After neat work with McGinn, Duffy played in an inviting cross that Daly simply prodded in from close range.

Torquay rallied after the break but for all their possession failed to break down the Southport defence, marshalled superbly by Davis.

The centre-half was quick to block Mansell’s shot from 18 yards before somehow scrambling away Roscoe D’Sane’s shot from the goal-line, after the ball had beaten McMillan.

As Torquay pressed forward Daly netted his second in a quick counter, meeting Lever’s long ball from defence to calmly lob Bevan from the edge of the box.

And if the Gulls keeper wasn’t humbled by being lobbed from 18 yards, he surely was by Kevin Lee’s incredible strike.

Meeting a throw-in on the right channel, 40 yards out, the defender smacked a volley that sailed the same distance in height before dipping beneath Bevan’s crossbar. Whether it was meant or not - more likely the latter - there will not be a better goal scored in this year’s Trophy.

Watson added: “I thought we outplayed them and we were by far the stronger side.

“Tactically we got it right and we were in control for most of the game. They couldn’t got hold of the ball in the middle of the park and we used it well.”